Shouguang
The Shouguang chicken is a Chinese indigenous breed from the Shouguang area of Shandong Province. It is commonly described as a large, slow-growing local chicken with dark or black plumage in many lines and a traditional role as a meat-and-egg bird. Compared with modern commercial hybrids, Shouguang chickens are important for regional adaptation, flavor-oriented meat markets, and conservation of Chinese poultry genetics rather than maximum feed conversion or rapid laying.
On farms, Shouguang chickens are usually managed as sturdy dual-purpose birds with room to move and forage, plus supplemental grain or formulated ration when production is expected. They may mature more slowly than industrial broilers, so buyers should be clear whether they want heritage breeding stock, table birds, or hatchery crosses using the name. Conservation flocks benefit from pedigree or pen records, careful selection for healthy legs and body size, and protection from indiscriminate crossbreeding.
Colors: Barred, Birchen, Black, Blue, Brown, Buff, Columbian, Crele, Cuckoo, Duckwing, Gold, Gold Laced, Laced, Lavender, Mille Fleur, Mottled, Partridge, Penciled, Porcelain, Red, Silver, Silver Laced, Spangled, Splash, Wheaten, White
